May – August 2014

The Synesthesia Film Festival is a once a month showing of the coolest short films from around the world, sponsored by the The Film Clubs. The goal is to bring an eclectic mix of filmmakers together to mingle, share ideas, and collaborate on projects. The festival happens the first Thursday of every month from 7-9 PM. Tickets are $7. Following the screening will be an after party down the street where we will announce the Winners of the Audience Choice Award.

“We’re excited to be at the historic Roxie Theater this year in the vibrant Mission neighborhood, for a week long voyage into the latest compelling films about people and the planet. The 2014 program is our most far-reaching yet, presenting 60 films from 21 countries to inspire, inform, and motivate your green core.”

This is a once monthly film festival that screens independent short films, student films, web series, documentaries, music videos, experimental films and animations from around the world. The goal is to bring an eclectic mix of media and filmmakers together to mingle, share ideas, and collaborate on future projects.

The screening night starts at 6:30 PM in the lobby where the filmmakers, writers, producers, directors, actors, and editors of the short films can get to know each other. Then the show begins at 7:00 PM and ends at 9:00 PM, followed by a short Q&A with the key filmmakers.

Afterparty at 9:30 PM down the street at a local bar or restaurant where we will tally up the scores and announce the winners of the Audience Choice Awards.

“The film is beautiful and powerful…If millions could experience its affirming and incandescent message, we might turn around the destructive dynamics that are overwhelming the earth.”–Bill Moyers

“Each anecdote builds upon the next to create that rarest of films: a documentary as ineffable and transformative in its reach as it sets out to be.”–Village Voice

FOLLOWING THE NINTH tells the story of people whose lives have been transformed, repaired and healed by Beethoven’s Ninth message: Alle Menschen werden Bruder (All People Are Brothers) Director Kerry Candaele follows the artistic, cultural, and political impact of the Ninth across five continents and ten countries, from Tiananmen Square to the Berlin Wall to the prisons of Pinochet’s Chile and the townships of South Africa, tracing the ways in which its grand, soaring melody and inspiring words of peace, tolerance, and love have sustained hope in a manner that few works of art have ever achieved. Dir: Kerry Candaele – 2013 – 85 Minutes

NIPPON NIGHTS is monthly series of Japanese cinema bridging different genres, styles and generations.

Neon Tokyo : Anime World #1 – SHORT PEACE

Wednesday, July 16th

The 1st program of the special series “Neon Tokyo” is omnibus animations including Oscar nominated short film “POSSESSION” and “COMBUSTIBLE” by Katshuhiro Otomo, the creator of “AKIRA”. Four amazing directors created four astounding animated films.

In 1995, Katsuhiro Otomo’s epic anthology MEMORIES showcased the work of upcoming superstars of the anime world. Now, Otomo’s spotlight shifts to a fresh generation of master creators with an all-new anthology of visionary films: A lone traveler is confronted by unusual spirits in an abandoned shrine in the 2013 Academy Award® nominated POSSESSIONS (TSUKUMO), directed by Shuhei Morita (COICENT, KAKURENBO). A mysterious white bear defends the royal family from the predations of a red demon in the brutal GAMBO, directed by Hiroaki Ando (FIVE NUMBERS!) from REDLINE’s Katsuhito Ishii’s original story with character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION). The focus shifts from supernatural to science fiction for the action packed A FAREWELL TO WEAPONS (BUKI YO SARABA),as MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM designer Hajime Katoki helms Otomo’s tour-de-forcesaga of men battlingrobotic tanks in apocalyptic Tokyo, while grandmaster Otomohimself assumes the directorial reigns for a spectacular tale of love, honor and firefighting in ancient Japan with the multi-award winning COMBUSTIBLE (HI-NO-YOUJIN). Prepare your senses for the animated films that are taking the critical world by storm as a new era in anime is ushered in with Katsuhiro Otomo’s SHORT PEACE!

Q&A WITH NOTED ANIMATOR – AND DAUGHTER OF JOHN AND FAITH – EMILY HUBLEY AFTER THE 6PM SHOW! A traveling program of films by animators John and Faith Hubley, all in new 35mm prints, celebrating John Hubley’s 100th birthday.

ADVENTURES OF AN * – A baby, represented by the “ * ” symbol, delights in the visual excitement of the world. As he matures, his ability to see diminishes. Eventually, his own child freshens his vision. Produced and Written by John and Faith Hubley in collaboration with James Johnson Sweeney. Dir: John Hubley. 1956, 11 mins.

TENDER GAME – A jazz version of the song “Tenderly,” provides the soundtrack for a delicate tale of love. Produced and Written by John Hubley Music Performed by Ella Fitzgerald and the Oscar Peterson Trio: Ray Brown, bass and Herb Ellis, guitar. 1958, 6 mins.

MOONBIRD – In a magical adventure, two brothers hunt an imaginary bird. Their dialogue is improvised. Produced and Written by John and Faith Hubley. Voices of Mark and Ray Hubley. Dir: John Hubley. 1959. 10 mins.

THE HAT – Two soldiers patrol the border between their counties. When one accidentally drops his helmet over the line, the other refuses to give it back – setting the scene for a witty exploration of peace through world law. Music and Voices by Dizzy Gillespie and Dudley Moore. Produced and Written by John and Faith Hubley for The World Law Fund. Dir: John Hubley. 1964. 19 mins.

URBANISSIMO – A comic allegory depicting a runaway “city” devouring its environs. A farmer has an encounter with the “city” and deserts his rural home for the imagined joys of urban life. Produced by John and Faith Hubley for Expo ’67, Montreal. Music by Benny Carter. Dir: John Hubley. 1967. 6 mins.

WINDY DAY – An improvised dialogue of two little girls is the background for the expressive visualization of their view of marriage and babies, love and death. Voices of Emily and Georgia Hubley. Produced and Directed by John and Faith Hubley. 1968. 9 mins.

OF MEN AND DEMONS - A simple fisherman faces the challenges posed by climate and modernity as personified by three resourceful demons. Music by Quincy Jones Produced and Directed by John and Faith Hubley. 1968. 9 mins.

EGGS - Mother Nature bickers with Death over control of humankind before a fateful decision is made. Music by Quincy Jones. Voices of David Burns, Anita Ellis, and Grady Tate. Produced and Written by John and Faith Hubley
Dir: John Hubley. 1970. 10 mins.

STORY OF RELEASE

Organized in collaboration with the Hubley family, Cinema Conservancy’s centennial tour coincides with The Believer Magazine’s 2014 Film Issue. The issue will feature a DVD with a number of the Hubleys’ films, including “Cockaboody” (1973), “The Hole” (1963), and “Date With Dizzy” (1958), as well as commercials, home movies and storyboards.

Visually striking, playful and innovative, the selected films address a wide range of topics – from urbanization and overpopulation to two boys’ search for a pet bird – and feature the voices of Dizzy Gillespie, Dudley Moore, and the Hubleys’ children (Emily, Georgia, Mark and Ray), as well as music from Benny Carter, The Oscar Peterson Trio and Quincy Jones.

John Hubley began his training at Disney (where his participation in the studio’s famous 1941 strike caused him and other animators to be fired and later blacklisted) and went on to the Army’s Motion Picture Unit and UPA. The personal and creative partnership between John and Faith (Elliott) Hubley lasted from the 1950’s until John’s death in 1977. True to their marriage vow to finish one independent film per year, the Hubleys created over 20 animated films together, winning three Academy Awards (for “Moonbird,” “The Hole,” and 1966’s “Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass Double Feature”), in addition to taking on ads, commissions and segments for TV shows such as Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Faith Hubley went on to make 23 more films after 1977.

Breaking new artistic ground and exploring urgent topics in their films, the Hubleys rebelled, as John told animation historian John Canemaker, “against the sweet sentimental chipmunk and bunnies idiom of animation.” They favored a modern aesthetic, using techniques such as wax-resistance, oil painting and bottom-lit watercolors. In their experimentations with improvised dialogue and music, the pair found inspiration everywhere, from conversations between New York construction workers to the musings of their own children. Cinema Conservancy is thrilled to be bringing the Hubley’s work back to theaters in 2014.

ADVENTURES OF AN *, THE TENDER GAME, and URBANISSIMO were preserved by The Museum of Modern Art with support from the Celeste Bartos Fund for Film Preservation.

The 2nd program of the special series “ROXIE KIDS” is Hayao Miyazaki’s directorial debut film.

Where dreams become nightmares….
at the Castle of Cagliostro
While driving through the streets of Europe, Lupin and Jigen, a sharpshooter, find a young woman named Clarise in a bridal gownchased by villains. A spectacular car chase ensues in order to save this damsel in distress.

Lupin frees Clarise from the hands of these hoodlums and she shows her gratitude by giving Lupin a precious and cherished ring of hers. Feeling quite uneasy about this bizarre experience, Lupin and Jigen proceed to the dukedom of Cagliostro.
The ruler of the dukedom, the Duke of Cagliostro died a few years back and now Clarise whom Lupin had saved previously is to marry her Uncle, the Count of Cagliostro and thus become a Princess. After learning that her Uncles intentions are devious, Clarise is imprisoned in the clock tower of the Castle. When becoming aware of this, Lupin forces his way into the tower to try once again to rescue Clarise.
Inspector Zenigata, who is in pursuit of Lupin, learns of his whereabouts and proceeds to travel to Cagliostro in order to catch him. In his search for Lupin, the Inspector stumbles upon a factory located in the Castle which manufactures counterfeit coins and paper money to be circulated throughout the world. Putting his search for Lupin aside, the Inspector now devotes his efforts to exposing this crime taking place in the Castle. This diverts his attention to capturing the notorious Lupin.
The day now arrives when the Count is to be married and before a worldwide television audience, Lupin disguised as a priest carries Clarise away just before the wedding vows are to be exchanged.
This causes an incredible state of confusion at the Castle. The Count pursues Lupin and the great chase is about to begin….

NIPPON NIGHTS is monthly series of Japanese cinema bridging different genres, styles and generations.

Neon Tokyo : Anime World #2 – AKIRA

Thursday, August 21st

The 2nd program of the special series “Neon Tokyo” is “AKIRA”, Japanese animated action film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo.

“A fever-dream masterpiece” Village Voice

“A towering achievement of imagination” Time Out

Neo-Tokyo is about to E•X•P •L•O•D•E

Clandestine army activities threaten the war torn city of Neo-Tokyo when a mysterious being with powerful psychic abilities escapes his prison and inadvertently draws a violent motorcycle gang into a heinous web of experimentation. As a result, a biker with a twisted mind embarks on a path of war, seeking revenge against a society what once called him weak.

The film depicts a dystopian version of Tokyo in the year 2019, with cyberpunk tones. The plot focuses on teenage biker Tetsuo Shima and his psychic powers, and the leader of his biker gang, Shotaro Kaneda. Kaneda tries to prevent Tetsuo from releasing the imprisoned psychic Akira. While most of the character designs and settings were adapted from the original 2182-page manga epic, the restructured plot of the movie differs considerably from the print version, pruning much of the last half of the manga. It became a hugely popular cult film and is widely considered to be a landmark in Japanese animation. (Wikipedia)